Can opener



Jan. 21, 1930. w PETERSON 1,744,573

CAN OPENER Filed June 2 1928 1N VEN TOR. 4X64 W. P577505 0 N A TTOR NE Y5.

Patented Jan. 21, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AXEL W. PETERSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS; SVEN H. 'SVENSON, ADMINISTRATOR OF SAID AXEL W. PETERSON, DECEASED, ASSIGNOR TO WESTERN TOOL AND WRENCH COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA CAN OPENER Application filed June 25,

My invention relates to improvements in can openers, and it consists in the combinations, constructions and arrangements hereinafter described and claimed.

This invention is an improvement over my patent on can opener issued July 26, 1927 Patent No. 1,636,785.

In the present form of the device I show the cutter as being an integral part of a member that connects the two handles together, and this member is secured to one of the handles by two rivets or other suitable fastening members instead of one. The cutter will not work loose because it is secured at two points instead of one.

A stop for limiting the movement of the can-moving wheel away from the cutter is also provided, and this stop is secured in place by the same fastening members that are used for the knife.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds, and the novel features will be particularly pointed out in what I hereinafter claim.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application, in which Figure 1 is a top plan view of the device shown operatively applied to a can;

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of a portion of the device;

Figure 3 is a section along the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure l is a perspective View of the cutter; and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the stop.

In carrying out my invention, I provide a pair of handles 1 and 2 having shanks 3 and 4. To the shank 3 I secure a cutter 5 of the shape shown in Figure 4. The cutting blade 6 is integral with its base 7, and the base is provided with openings 8, 9 and 10 for receiving rivets that secure the base to the shank 3 and to a link 16.

In Figure 1, I show rivets 11 and 12 for fastening the base 7 to the shank 3. A pin 13 having a head 14 and an upset end 15, pivotally secures a link 16 to the base 7, the pin being received in the opening 10. The

1928. Serial N0..288,'034.

centrically with the pin 17 and having a;

portion cut away as at 19 see Figure 2) for receiving the shank v4. This tout-away porftion prevents relative movement between the ratchet and the shank. Discs 20 and .21 are mounted on the top andbottom of the ratchet .18, the disc 20 being of greater diameter than the ratchet while the disc 21 is of less diameter. The construction is "such that the projecting portion of the disc 20 rests upon the head of the can, and a rocking movement of the handle 2 will reciprocate the ratchet for causing it'to intermittently move around the topof the can.

I provide a stop member 22 of the shape shown in Figure 5. This memberis interposed between the base 7 and the shank 3., and is secured in place by the rivets 1.1 and 12. Figure '2 shows how the stop has an edge 23 adapted to be contacted by an edge 24 of the link 16 when the link is moved into the position shown in Figure 1. Figure 2 shows the link in a position that is furthest removed from the edge 23.

From the foregoing description of the various parts of the device, the operation thereof may be readily understood.

- In use, the cutter 5 is placed adjacent to the head 25 of a can 26, and the pressure is brought to bear upon the base 7, which will force the blade 6 into the can. Figure 4 shows the cutting edge 27 of the blade as being provided with a cutting notch 28. This notch receives the top of the can and cuts into it as the device is moved about the periphery. Figure 3 shows how the cutter is received in the can and how the ratchet 18 contacts with the outer edge of the can. The operator holds the handle 1 stationary, and moves the handle 2 toward and away from the first handle. A movement of the handle 2 toward the handle 1 will cause the teeth of the ratchet to engage with the can and move it with respect to the cutter 5, thus severing the top. A reverse movement of the handle 2 will permit the ratchet to slip with respect to the can, and then the first operation is again repeated. The entire circumference of the can is gone over with the device if desired, and it will make a smooth out that 5 will be positioned close to the edge of the can.

Although I have shown, and described one embodiment of my invention, it is understood that the same is susceptible of various changes, and I reserve the right to employ such changes as may come within the scope of the invention as claimed.

I claim:

1. A can opener comprising a pair of handles operatively secured to each other, a cutter having an integral base portion, rivets securing said base to one of said handles, the blade of said cutter lying adjacent to said handle and cooperating with said rivets for preventing relative movement of the cutter with respect to the handle, the other handle being pivotally secured to said base, and a can-gripping wheel carried by the pivoted handle.

2. A can opener comprising a pair of handles, a link connecting said handles together, a stop member carried by one of said handles and cooperating with said link for limiting the movement of the latter, and a can-gripping wheel carried by the link.

3. A can opener comprising a pair of handles, a link connecting said handles together, a cutter, a stop member, rivets securing said cutter and stop to one of saidhandles, said stop member cooperating with said link for limiting the movement thereof, and a cangripping wheel carried by said link.

AXEL W. PETERSON. 

